Title: Super Smash Brothers MeleeSystem: GameCubeGenre: FightingRequires: 1-4 Controlers, 1 Memory CardPlayers: 1-4Forefathers: Super Smash Brothers (N64). Individual character orgins are too many to listPrice: Now availible at some locations for as low as $69.99 Canadian

Overview: The N64 never really hit a full stride, especially when it came to fighting games. What it did have was a host of Nintendo First Party characters and four controler ports built into the console. So to solve the lack of fighting games, Nintendo made Super Smash Brothers, a game where classic Nintendo characters duke it out in a cartoonish brawl. People loved the game, most notable for it's frantic 4-Player battles.

Melee is not a "sequal" in that it does not follow up a story, because there isn't one. It's all about one thing; mayham and beating the snot out of Nintendo characters most of us grew up with (plus others).

Whats New?: New characters, souped up graphics, refined gameplay, different levels, new modes, A METRIC TONNE of stuff to unlock....the usual stuff for a fighting game.

Graphics: The graphics are a huge step up from the previous game, but that's to be expected. The level details are well done, and look like faithful renditions of classic places we've been to. The character models are also well done. Some of the charatcers we haevn't seen sense the SNES days, and even those characters look like EXACTLY the way they should beefed up in 3D. Smooth animations abound. 4.5/5

Sound: The music is a mix of original stuff and remixes from the older games. Either way it sounds great. The sound effects are all bang on as well, from the THWACK of Marth's sword to Mario's trademark fireball. The question remains about this is; does it match up to Factor 5? Of course it doesn't (but what can?). Still, an easy 4.5/5

Control: Just about anyone can pick up a controler and play. Button mashing is a sinch, and the controls are simple to learn. Special moves and "smash attacks" are easy to pull off. Those who learn the controls will be happy to know that there's often complex combos that deal HUGE damage, but they take skill to use. The game really does a greta job of playiong it straight up the middle and making the playing field level. Of course, this is all made possible by a fantastic movement response, a dynamite controler layout, and an excellent battle system which runs on pure anarchy. This is one of the reason why this game is so "pick up and playable", is because it controls so well. No doubt in my mind, 5/5

Fun level: 4 people nailing each other with objects, blasting each other with huge moves, all with these cute little Nintendo characters. The game is flat out incredible to play with other people. I won't go into anymore details about this because I honestly can't do it justice to describe how exact the fun is or what it's like. I CAN say this much;

That level playing field I mentioned earlier. Well, that's most of the fun. You can bring in a technophobe friend, a hardcore gamer, and a casual gamer over and you can all play it. And love it. It's that user friendly to ALL types of gamers. Meanwhile;

The single player mode is incredible. Somehow, you fight endlessly not because it's a chore, but because you WANT to. It's also key for unlocking all the characters, but you'll find you'll have FUN doing it. Through in the "Event" modes and a few special quirks, you got yourself a very good 1-Player game too. Picture this;

I unlock Luigi. So I decide to try to beat the game again with someone else in order to unlock something. During a certian stage you fight Metal Mario.....but after you unlock Luigi you have to fight BOTH OF THEM AT ONCE, METAL MARIO AND LUIGI. This I was NOT expecting, and paid for it (I was using a character I wasn't used to). Do you even need to ask? 5/5

Final Score: 19/20

Final Note; Any other game for the GameCube MUST pass through Smash Bros. Melee if they want to lay claim to being the best multiplayer game for the system (along with Bomberman Generations). 1 player. 4 Players. It doesn't matter. You needed to buy this game YESTERDAY. THIS is one of the reasons why you bought a GameCube. While you're at it, pick up another three controlers and get three friends to come over. You'll never know what hit you.

Coming up next while stuff is being dumped to tape at work...a Retro-review on the greatest game of all time!

EDIT: As you can tell by my sig, I'm Canadian. Our games cost more money, at least where I am they cost more money.

(edited by El Nastio on 18.9.02 2241)Habs: 0-0-0-0 (Camp has started!)Renegades: 3-9-0: Last place in the CFL East (Beat the Stamps on Saturday)Man of the Week: Saku Koivu for being cancer free.Goat of the Week: Richard Zednik for not showing up to camp.